Water craft



Jan. 19, 1943- T. F. THOMPSON WATER CRAFT Filed Nov. 12, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l QM. m. www. QW. M NN Ww N QN 3 w Q Q f QN @NH WNV, QNH n. www. ,NN M Nm, LQ SM .NM @mv M M w QN. www@ m @mv n .W mw. kw @Nm Y f NNI .Mw o mv f www \Q. Qu@ mm. O 4 SW QN QQ w. N .www

- Jan. 19, w43.

T. F. THOMPSON WATER CRAFT Filed Nov, 12, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 19, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WATER CRAFT I Theodore F. Thompson, Des Moines, Iowa Application November 12, 1940, Serial No. 365,353

5 Claims.

This invention relates to water vehicles, and has for its principal object the provision of a novel type of water craft in which the water displacement is reduced to a minimum, the power utilized in propelling the craft forward being so applied that in operation at high speeds there is little or no submersion of any portion of the craft beneath the surface of the water.

More specifically, the invention relates to that type of water vehicle having a generally spherical body within which may be located a motor or other propulsion unit, the motor being operatively connected with the body to rotate the Ylatter about a diametrical axis horizontal to the surface of the water, so that the body literally rolls over the surface during operation. Preferably the external surface of the body is provided with an annular keel to maintain the intended direction of movement of the vehicle and increase the stability thereof, and is further formed to provide propulsion surfaces for engagement with the water, these surfaces being shaped so as to impart combined forward and upward movement to theY body on submersion, and so as to'emerge from the water with a minimum of resistance.

A further 'object ofthe invention is the provision, in a vehicle of the character described, of a hollow body within which is provided a frame for the mounting of a propulsion unit, the bod being apertured on the diametrical axis of rota'- tion thereof to permit the extension of theframe exteriorly of the body for connection with stabilizi'ng floats, the oats being so positioned as to resist rotation of the frame about the rotational axis of the body. The invention contemplates that the lateral aperturesrin the body shall be sufficientlylarge to permit access to the interior of the body for the purpose of loading passengers or freight therein, closure members being asso--Y ciated with these apertures.Vv It is furthermore contemplated that a substantially closed passenger or freight compartment, supported by the frame, be incorporated in the body, and that a control compartment, also mounted on the frame, be provided forward ofthe body and exteriorlyv thereof so as to accommodate a pilothaving full control over the 'operation of the vehicle, the control compartment being disposed and constructed to afford reasonably complete vision to the pilot.

Further .objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in'which Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section,

illustrating' one embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the central portion of the structure shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a plan view corresponding to Figure 1; and i Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Figure 1.

In order to facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference will be made to the several embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specific language will be employed. It will nevertheless be understood that various further modications of the devices illustrated herein, such as would fall within the province of those skilled in the art to construct are contemplated as part of the present invention.

Referring rst to Figures 1 and 4 of the drawings, which represent elevational and plan views respectively of the vehicle, it will be observed that the principal elements of the structure are the spherical body I0, the spherical floats II,l

and the connecting frame structure indicated generally at I2. While a truly spherical form is preferable for both the vehicle body and the oats, it is not essential, and while these elements are described for convenience herein-after as generally spherical, it Will be appreciated that it is intended to include within the scope of the language modifications of shape embodying the essential advantages of the structure shown herein but departing substantially from the preferred truly spherical form.

The frame I2 which functions as the connecting structure between the body IB and the floats II extends within the body I9, and is journalled in the latter so as to permit rotation of the body about a substantially horizontal diametric axis.

Thus the shaft I5, Supported on and defining this axis, is connected rigidly to depending pairs of arms I6 and' I1 and to an upstanding pair of arms I8. Journaled in and extending between u the arms of each pair, I6 and I1', are rotatable 22, to complete the mounting of shaft I5 on the horizontal diametric axis of the body I0.

Mounted on and extending between the shafts I9, and disposed adjacent opposite ends of the latter, is a pair of curved arms 39 on which is mounted in any convenient manner a source of motive power, such as the internal combustion engine 32. Mounted on the crankshaft 34 of the engine 32 are a plurality of pulleys 35 which are geared by belts V36 to pulleys 31 mounted on opposite ends of the shafts I9. The pulleys are suitably dimensioned to provide for the driving of the shafts I9 and the gears 2B mounted thereon at any convenient rotational speed. For example, y

the pulley ratio may be such that the engine and driven shaft speeds have a ratio of 3:2. The speed of rotation of the body I9 is of course further dependent on the relative diameters of the gears 2|] and rack 25.

The exterior surface of the body I is formed to provide propulsion surfaces for engagement with the wat-er, and in the preferred embodiment of the invention, these propulsion surfaces are afforded by a plurality of transversely extending VVblades 4U which are rigidly secured tothe body adjacent a median vertical plane. It will be noted that each of the blades 40 defines a plane which is so inclined to the .body that as the blade enters the water, the forward or. propulsion surface thereof exerts al force against the water surface of which the major component is downward, so as to vtend to lift the body. As the blade emerges from the water surface, it is substantially normal to the latter and thus little or no resistance is offered bythe water to the withdrawal of the blade. The effect of this disposition of the propelling blades is therefore such that the body tends to rise to the surface of the water and to skim over the surface, so that. the body offers comparatively little resistance to forward movement. Furthermore, the rotation of the' body about a horizontal axis, gives a rolling effect and affords further reduction of resistance to forward movement.

In order that lateral rocking of the body may be minimized, lateral drift reduced, and steering facilitated, the body is preferably provided with an annular keel 42. which is disposed substantially in the median vertical plane of the body. This keel completely Surrounds4 the body and is rigidly secured thereto and may be further secured in any convenient manner tothe transversely extending propulsion blades so as to strengthen the latter, for example by welding.

A platform 45, defining a substantially horizontal plane within the body,'is secured to the frame I2, for exampleV by rigid connection with the oppositely disposed pairs of arms I6 and I1 which are in turn rigidly mounted on the shaft I5. This platform, together with a generally spherical dome 46 which. is mounted thereon and which conforms generally to the internal dimensions of the upper portion of the body, defines a storage space or a passenger compartment, or both, this compartment being indicated generally by the reference character 48.

Since the shaft I is journalled in the body by Y means of the flanged rollers 2l and 29, it is not necessary to providefurther supporting bearings for the shaft I5 adjacent the points of emergence thereof from the body at opposite sidesnof the latter. Consequently, the body maye be cut away at opposite sides to provide large apertures 5B vaffording access to the compartment 48. Closure membersrSI may be mountedon .the shaft I5 for.

sliding movement along the shaft toward and Y away from the apertures 50, so that the latte! may be closed when desired. Any suitable means, not shown, may be provided for displacing the closure members axially of the shaft and for retaining the same in any desired position thereon. The end portions of the shaft I5 are of Vcircular section, so that the closure members may rotate with the body when in aperture-closing position; the central portion of the shaft Vis preferably noncircular to'facilitaterigid attachment thereto of the arms It, I1, and Is.

VThe exterior portiony of the frame I2 is secured to the outer ends of the shaft I5 in any `convenient manner, and the main or supporting structure of the frame may consist of conventional structuralelements, for example channelV members 54. These channel members, which may be strengthened by transverse structural members in ar manner similar to that followed in the construction of. automobile frames, extend both rearwardly and forwardly from the points of connection lto the shaft I5. Preferably the entire frame 'is covered by a sheet metal V shell 55., which is secured to the structural members of the frame .and which completelyhouses the upperportion of the body I0 and conforms generally togthe shape :o f ,the latter, so `as to funce tion as a hood orv fender to prevent'the scattering` of `water by propelling blades. This shell is also preferably shapedso as to minimize wind resistance and may be streamlined in accordance with .accepted principlesl of design. The shell55, and the supporting'structural frame members,

' may be carried forwardly of thebody to provide an overhanging. controlfcabin indicated generally at 58, this vcabin being. provided withV av door 59 :affording 'accessthereto and being libe erally supplied' with windows 60 giving full vision to the pilot to facilitate control of the vehicle. The :usual control mechanism, not shown, is provided withinkthe cabin andsuitable control yconnections are carried :rearwardly on the vframe I2 to the interior ofthe body `IIJ and to a rudder 62 at the rearA of thek frame.l Access forthe control connections -to theinteriorof the .body can of Vcourse be provided through the'shaft I5 which maybe :Inadehollow for this purpose or may be. suitably Vapertured -to permit the passage therethrough ofthe Acontrol elements, so that operation. of the 'motormay beV effected from the controlfcabin 1,58. 'Hollowshaft ends are further desirableas providingconduits through `which the engine may besupplied'withair and'water,

engine exhaust andwa'terdischarged, Yand ventilation .of the interioryof the body effected.

A cat-.Walk :5.6, supportedon the exterior of the Lbody. at'one orfbothsides thereof, may afford communicationzbetween the apertures :50 oftheV bodyfandthe controlcabin'58.

- The channel ,members 54,- defining'the outline of the exterior; ,portion :of the :frame I 2, lconverge andv may be ,secured-together `adjacent the rear,-` ward portion ofthe frame.. A-transvers'e shaft f ing forward movementro the vehicle, thus ree;

ducing vthe .frictionalresistance offered thereby to forward movement :off the.vehicle. VAThe lat- L eraljspacing ofthe floats is sufficient to afford Y adequate lateral stability to thefentire structure,

and thenoats are ofsufcient dimensions toi Y resist Yfthe torque 'imparted to the `frame ,by the driving engine, the fioats thus serving as the reacting elements for the motive power which rotates the body.

Water-craft embodying the principles outlined herein may be highly useful for military purposes. Thus the compartment 48 may be loaded with high explosives, the craft may be driven at high speed toward an enemy craft or other objective, and the explosives ejected from the compartment 48 through the apertures 50 by an attendant within the compartment. The craft may then be steered rapidly away from the site of the explosion. Alternatively, the craft may be loaded with explosives and operated by remote control radio so as to cause the craft to collide with the objective.

If desired, the forward control cabin 58 may be omitted, and the controls housed within the rear portion or tail of Ithe frame structure intermediate the vehicle body I0 and the stabilizing iioats H.

It will be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings is illustrative only. Various modifications of the details of the structure, not departing from the principles of the invention as outlined herein, are contemplated as part of the invention. It will also be appreciated that various features of the invention, while preferably employed in combination with other illustrated features, may be applied to water vehicles otherwise differing materially from that shown and described herein.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a water vehicle, the combination with a hollow, generally spherical body having peripheral propulsion surfaces, of a frame journalled within said body on a diametrical axis of the latter, a motor carried by said frame, means operatively connecting said motor to said body to rotate the latter about said axis, said frame extending exteriorly of said body, means carried by said frame for engagement with the water to resist rotation of said frame on the alpplication of driving torque to said body, and a control compartment carried by said frame and disposed forwardly of said body.

2. In a water vehicle, the combination with a hollow spherical body having peripheral prol pulsion surfaces, of a frame journalled within said body on a diametrical axis of the latter, a motor carried by said frame, means operatively connecting said motor to said body to rotate the latter about said axis, said frame extending exteriorly and rearwardly of said body, laterally spaced floats carried by the rearward portion of said frame, and a hood carried by said frame and encompassing the upper Surface of said body.

3. In a water vehicle, the combination with a hollow spherical body having peripheral propulsion surfaces, of a frame journalled within said body on a diametrical axis of the latter, a motor carried by said frame, means operatively connecting said motor to said body to rotate the latter about said axis, a shaft disposed generally on said axis and carrying said frame, said body being provided with apertures to permit extension of said shaft exteriorly of the body and to afford access to the body interior, and closure means for said apertures mounted on said shaft and displaceable thereon toward and away from said apertures.

4. In a water vehicle, the combination with a hollow spherical body having peripheral propulsion surfaces, of a frame journalled within said body on a diametrical axis of the latter, a motor carried by said frame, means operatively connecting said motor to said body to rotate the latter about said axis, a shaft disposed generally on said axis and carrying said frame, said body being provided with apertures to permit extension of said shaft exteriorly of the body and to afford access to the body interior, closure means for said apertures mounted on said shaft and displaceable thereon toward and away from said apertures, and stabilizing means including floats carried by said shafts exteriorly of said body.

5. In a Water vehicle, the combination with a hollow spherical body having peripheral propulsion surfaces, of a frame journalled Within said body on a diametrical axis of the latter, a motor carried by said frame, means operatively connecting said motor to said body to rotate the latter about said axis, a shaft disposed generally on said axis and carrying said frame, said body being provided with apertures to permit extension of said shaft exteriorly of the body and to afford access to the body interi-or, closure means for said apertures mounted on said shaft and displaceable thereon toward and away from said apertures, and stabilizing means including floats carried by said shafts exteriorly of said body, said oats comprising spherical members spaced laterally and journalled for rotation on a common axis generally parallel to said body axis.

THEODORE F. THOMPSON. 

